Mole-trap



(Model) J. KLAR. Mole Trap.

No. 243,580. /Patented June 28.1881.

INVENTOR ATTORNEYS.

N. PETERS. Pholo-hlhographer. Washlngion, n. c.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOSEPH KLAR, OF ANNA, ILLINOIS.

MOLE-TRAP.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 243,580, dated June 28, 1881, Application filed October 14, 1880. (Model.)

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, JOSEPH KLAR, of Anna, in the county of Union and State of ,Illinois, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Mole-Traps, of which the following is aspecification.

Figure 1 is a plan view of theimprovement.

Fig. 2 is a sectional side elevation taken through the line 00 a, Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is an end elevation. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the paddle.

The object of this invention is to furnish an improved mole-trap which can be conveniently set and which will be reliable in operation.

The invention consists in constructing a mole-trap of a platform, springs attached to the platform, aloop connected with the springs, one or two loops hinged to the main loop, a pivoted trigger having a catch-point, a hinged catch-rod to engage with the catch-point of the trigger in setting the trap, and a stationary loop and flaring rows of rods to guide the animal to the trigger, as will be hereinafter fully described.

A is a platform which maybe made of wood or metal, and may be a plate or a frame, as desired.

B are coiled spiral or other shaped springs, which are attached at one end to the platform A. Upon the other ends of the springs B are formed, or with them are connected, the ends of a loop, G, in such a manner that the movement of the loop 0 against the other side of the platform A will increasethe tension of the springs 13, and so that when the loop 0 is released thetension of the springs B will throw the loop 0 away from the platform A.

To the middle parts of the arms of the loop 0, or to eyes formed upon the said arms, are hinged the ends of the arms of a loop, D, which loop projects downward through cross-slotsin the platform A when the trap is set.

To the bend of the loop 0 are hinged the ends of the arms of a loop, E, which also, when the trap is set, passes down througha crossslot in the platform A.

In a short cross-slotin the platform A, midway between the slots for the loops D E, is pivoted the trigger F, the upper end of which projects a little above the platform A, and its lower end projects below the platform Anear- 1y as far as the loops D E.

Upon the forward side of the upper end of the trigger F, a little above the platform A, is

is set the catch-rod H is placed between two stop-pins, I, attached to the platform A, to prevent the catch-rod H from being carried laterally by the movement of the trigger F, and to cause the said catch-rod H'to slip off the point G when the said trigger F is moved laterally. When the trap is not set the free end of the catch-rod H is caught upon the hook J to hold the loops 0 D E in place, as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 1, for convenience in carrying and handling the trap.

To the lower side of the platform A are attached the upper ends of two rows of pins or rods, K, the lower ends of which project down ward as low, or nearly as low, as the loops D E.

To the platform A, upon the opposite sides of the trigger F, are attached the ends of the arms of a loop, L, the bend of which projects downward as low, or nearly as low, as the loops D E. The arms of the loop L are at such adistancc apart that a mole cannot pass between either of them and the trigger F without moving the said trigger laterally and thus springing the trap. The rows of rods K spread apart or-flare as they extend in both directions from the loop L, to serve as guides to direct the mole into the loop L. The bend of the loop L prevents the mole from burrowing beneath the lower end of the trigger F, and causes him to seek to pass the said trigger F at one or the other side and thus move it to spring the trap.

M is a paddle made with a sharp lower end so that it can be readily forced into the ground to form openings for the loops D E L to enter.

When the ground is very loose three paddles, M, should be used, so as to form the three openin gs at the same time, to prevent the one opening from being filled by the movement of the soil caused by forcing the paddle M down to make the next opening.

In using the trap the surface of the ground is leveled, the three openings for the loops D E L are formed across the burrow, and the platform A is laid upon the ground with the said loops in the said openings. The catchrod H is then removed from the hook J, placed between the pins I, and caught upon the point G, and the trap is set. When a mole in passing along the burrow finds his passage obstructed by the trigger F he attempts to pass the obstruction, and thus moves the said trigger and springs the trap. As the catch-rod H is released by the movement of the trigger F the springs B raise the loop 0, which draws the loops D E upward and the mole is caught, pressed against the platform A, and killed by one or the other of the loops D E, according to the direction in which he is passing.

In case the mole or other animal trapped for will pass only in one direction only one of the loops D E need be used.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Paton t- 1. A mole-trap, constructed as herein shown and described, consisting of the platform A, the springs B, the loop 0, the hinged loopsD E, the pivoted trigger F, having catch-point G, the hinged catch-rod H, the stationary loop L, and the flaring rows of rods K, as set forth.

2. In a mole-trap, the combination, with the platform A, having stationary loop L and flaring rows of rods K, of the springs B, the loop 0, connected with the said springs, the loops D E, hinged to the loop 0, the pivoted trigger F, having catch point G, and the hinged catch-rod H, substantially as herein shown and described, whereby the trap will be sprung by the passage of the animal along its burrow, as set forth.

3. In a moletrap, the combination, with the platform A, carrying the springs B and loops 0 D E, and with the catch-rod H, of the two stop-pins I, substantially as herein shown and described, whereby the catch-rod H is held from being carried laterally by the movement of the trigger F, as set forth.

4. In a mole-trap, the combination, with the platform A, carrying the springs 13 and loops 0 D E, and the catch-rod H, of the hook J, substantially as herein shown and described, whereby the catch-rod H and loops G D E are secured in place when carrying and handling the trap, as set forth.

JOSEPH KLAR.

Witnesses:

H. P. TEUTRILL, O. E. HARMON- 

